Oil industry leaders kick off Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) -Thousands of oil and gas professionals are in Bismarck this week for the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, one of the largest industry events in North Dakota.

The 33rd annual Williston Basin Petroleum Conference is packing the Bismarck Event Center with exhibitors, speakers, and energy industry professionals from across the region.

Organizers say this year’s conference is built around both history and what comes next, marking 75 years since oil was first discovered in North Dakota.

“We got over 2,700 people here, 350 exhibitors, 85 speakers. This is a mega event for the oil and gas industry for Bismarck. And everybody’s excited to be here looking at the future of the Bakken and the future of the oil and gas industry,” said Ron Ness, ND Petroleum Council President.

The event will cover several issues important to the industry right now including the role of A-I in operations, natural gas, and using CO2 to boost production.

Another issue attracting attendee’s attention is combating human trafficking. Advocates for victims say many routes for traffickers go through oil production areas.

The conference also doubles as a networking opportunity, bringing together operators, engineers, geologists, and the companies that support drilling.

For vendors, it’s a chance to put faces to names and connect in person.

ZACHARY NORDIN, SUMMIT ESP: “It’s really nice to be able to get together, actually sit down, go to the breakout sessions, be able to, you know, really kind of get together as people.”

And it’s not just professionals. Some attendees are here to learn how the industry impacts their own land and lives.

BRETT HYATT, LANDOWNER: “I’m a fourth generation, I guess, landowner. It’s just kind of grandparents bought the land and discovered we had oil on it. And now we’re all just as a family kind of trying to learn the whole process and everything. And I feel like this is a great way to do that.”

The conference runs through Thursday. Organizers say this conference attracts people from all over the world.